Cali Girl

So...I am really bad about updating this, and not really sure who reads it. Regardless, here's an update.

Still lovin' Cali. I don't know what it is about this area, it just...pulls you in. The mountains, the ocean, the beaches...I can't imagine not being here.

Which is somewhat interesting, because I have friends who say that they love LA but wouldn't want to raise a family here. That is, they'd move elsewhere to raise a family.

I don't feel that way. I don't feel that if I meet someone, get married and decide to have a kid that it means I have to move back to St. Louis, or somewhere else. There are places in the LA area that you can raise a family that isn't the total Hollywood lifestyle. The valley is great, Burbank, has a great school district and the kids turn out all right.

But I did notice, when I was back in Indianapolis this past weekend, how much green and trees and bushes and just lush life I miss being out here. It is a completely different environment. I'm in the desert, really. Summer weather is 100+ usually. Yet...I'll take it over snow, ice, rain, and tornados any day.

Life here has been good to me. I have some great friends, an awesome job and workplace, a safe place to live...can't ask for much more.

Will post more later, promise. Just very introspective at the moment.

One Year

So, I know I haven't been great at updating this blog. For one, I started a sports blog, which you can find at http://calisportsdiva.blogspot.com/.

The other reason? I've been so busy that I've just been lax in blog writing. I am a true Sagittarius. I come up with these great ideas and start them, but often times I put too much on my plate and something ends up going to the wayside. Hence, this blog.

Anyway, tomorrow, March 31st, marks my one year anniversary in LA. It's so hard to believe that it was one year ago today that my dad, my cat Ringo, and I stuffed up my car and drove cross country to help start my next adventure in life.

Last year on this day, we crashed in Barstow (I know, how exciting) and the next morning I moved into my apartment in Toluca Lake. This coming Monday marks my one year anniversary at Power.

It's been a fantastic year in LA. Cali, you had me at hello. I know that sounds so corny, but it's true. I really do love LA. There's something about the vibe of this city, it's so motivating. Plus, the sun. I am a very happy person when it's sunny and warm. Which is about...80% of the time in LA. I love the sun, the beach, the ocean, the mountains...the traffic is sucky, but hey, nothing's perfect right?

My job at Power is going very well and I love the station and the people I work with. Hip Hop wouldn't have originally been my music of choice (I still love my rock roots and KSHE and The Point in StL will always have a special place) but I have really enjoyed learning more about the music and our listeners. Plus, I do enjoy a lot of hip hop and R&B. Always was a big fan of Stl's Nelly. :) If there's one thing I can take from my years of working in the radio business, it's that no matter what format of music it is, you find incredibly passionate and devoted fans. It's that passion that drives us to continue to do what we do in radio. Bring the fans the music you want to hear.

I have some fabulous new friends out in LA that I'm sure will end up being life long friends. I've been having a lot of fun exploring the LA area and getting to know the culture. One of the best things about LA is there's always something new to see and do. One year is nothing. Case point: I live walking distance from Universal Studios. Still haven't gone there.

My favorite areas so far, seem to be on the west side of town. I love Santa Monica, Venice, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa...so I guess I like the beach? I also really like where I live, the Toluca Lake area.

It's just a bit...amazing I guess to think I've been here a year. I remember when living in Cali was a mere desire, a thought. I've made it through year 1, and I know there will be many years ahead.

St. Louis peeps, don't get me wrong. St. Louis will always have a special place in my heart. But ever since I made the move to LA I've felt that this was the place I needed to be. It's been an amazing year and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Here's hoping for many more years of fun in La for me in the future!

Hi, Remember Me?

So...at one point I had a blog. And I used to post in it rather regularly. I had times where I thought "oh yeah, I need to post something!" and then later on would forget.

A lot has happened since September. Things in LA are fabulous, have some great friends out here and the job is good. In fact, I'm going on my very first business trip on Monday. I'm going to some meetings at our corporate office in Indianapolis. I'll be there Monday-Wednesday. Pretty excited about it, and it's great because it gives me a chance to see all of my friends in Indy as well. Only downside is I'm going to FREEZE! It was 80 degrees today in Burbank, and the forecast for when I'm in Indy is 17 and snowing. Lovely. I asked my dad to ship my heavy KSHE coat to me so I would have a good coat out there. None of my Cali coats are warm enough!

To recap a few big things, in October G Shirley came to visit me in LA. We had a blast! We did pretty much everything we could: Rodeo Drive, Mulholland, taping of a Jay Leno Show, LA Philharmonic featuring the incredible Juan Diego Flores, Laguna Beach, San Diego Zoo and Coronado. Coronado is...breathtakingly beautiful. The sand on the beaches has gold flecks in it. I'm not sure how it's that way, but it's pretty interesting. We were able to stay at the Coronado Hotel which is one of the oldest hotels in the country. In fact, the elevator is still the original one (upgraded and maintained of course). They have a bellhop who just works the elevator and it has the grated doors. Really cool.

Me, Jay Leno and G Shirley!

I wasn't able to go home for Thanksgiving, but I went out to Hemet and spent the day with my aunt, uncle and grandma, which was very nice. On the drive down to Hemet all of the high mountains had snow on them. The mountains still impress me out here, it's one of my favorite things about living in SoCal. Seeing the snow covered tops is too cool. Anyway, we had a very nice dinner and an early birthday celebration for me. Watched some football of course, and impressed my aunt with my football expertise. I simply said, "I am my father's daughter." :)

My radio station had our big Cali Christmas concert last week. Working at Power is such a change from my rock radio days. Our lineup featured Young Boyz, Far East Movement (Like a G6), Rick Ross (Rozay!), Pitbull (my fav), Chris Brown and Ice Cube. It was a really great show. Pitbull gets so into his performances and really gets the crowd going and that's always fun. I enjoy performers who get up on stage and just have fun and look like they are happy to be there. All of our performers really rocked it. So it was good.

And of course, this week was the end of the era. I waved goodbye to my 20's and embraced a new decade. Yes, I'm officially the big 3-0. Don't feel any different though, it's just another year in my life gone. Been a pretty darn good one in fact.

Jason and I rockin' out!

My friends and I went to Dimples, this famous karaoke bar in Burbank. It's a pretty cool place. They have a stage with props, costumes, etc. and they tape your performances. So you can get your performances on DVD. Since it was my birthday, I got all of mine on DVD for free. My voice wasn't 100% that night, been fighting this ugly sinus infection and had a cough but I still sang pretty well. And we just had a ball. Oh my, so many fun memories. Love my Cali friends for making sure my 30th was an awesome one.

Meet Me in St. Louie...

Okay, so I totally fail at updating this blog - sorry! So a few weeks ago I made the 2,000 mile trek back to St. Louis. Via air this time, thank goodness. As fun as that cross-country drive was, it's certainly not something I'd want to do frequently.

I had a wonderful time back in St. Louis. It had been 5 months since I made the move out west, which is still hard to believe! I was thinking about it, and even with my time at school at DePauw, and when I lived in Indy I think the longest I had ever gone without going home was about 3 months. Kind of crazy when I think about it that way.

Loved spending time with my parents, family and friends. Also had the chance to go back to the Emmis St. Louis office and say hello to everyone. It's funny how even though I've been gone for 5 months, once I got off the plane and stepped back into "The Lou," it was like nothing changed. It's still the same. It'll always be home.

Kathy and I hit up the Bottleneck Blues Bar to see That 80's Band, which was tons of fun. Turns out, we were there the last night Home Night Club was open. We should have gone! We thought about it too. Oh well.

I didn't really take many pictures in StL...I guess because it didn't really feel like a vacation? But I did have to take pics of my favorite little guy. Here's one of the best pics below.

James Rich and I at G Shirley's

Celebrated my mom's birthday, which was fun. Good to get all of the family together. I had taken a picture of Frank Sinatra's signature at Mann's Chinese Theatre and framed it for her Frank Shrine. My mom has the Frank shrine, I have the Beatles shrine. At least we're easy to shop for!

My dad got my mom all of the seasons of The Mary Tyler Moore Show on DVD. So we watched a couple of the episodes from the first season and I found myself connecting to it. Mary is a 30 year old, single gal, moving to the big city and living on her own. Sound familiar? So I've discovered that seasons 1-3 are available on Hulu, and I'm watching episodes that way. It's really a great show, I dig it. And I envy the clothes. I am such a flower child, haha!

Thing back in LA are good, keeping busy. A book club I joined had a book signing get together last week where we got to meet Kyra Davis. She write fun chick novels, we read her latest called Vows, Vendettas and a Little Black Dress. Kyra was very cool, and she actually lives in Burbank so in my hood! We took photos, but the book club organizer hasn't posted them yet.

Had a nice Labor Day weekend, got a lot of sun time in! Also finished another book. Love reading out by my pool. Today I meet up with friend Kristyn in Venice Beach and we biked from Venice to Santa Monica and back. Was really, really nice. I love biking along the beach, and the weather was perfect for it, not hot at all.

I must get a bike now. Am looking at craigslist listings for a cheap one, something I can easily transport so I can go biking at the beach more often.

Me at Venice Pier!

I promise to try and update this a little more often. For now, it's back to work. At least it's a short week!

Back to the 314

Long time, no post, I know. This California girl has been keeping busy, that's for sure!

Tomorrow I will head back to StL for my first trip back since moving out here. In many ways it feels so surreal. I can't believe I've been out here for almost 5 months - wow.

A couple of weeks ago I made a trip out to Hemet to see my relatives. I sang a solo at Sunday services at my aunt and uncle's church, which was very nice. I sang Panis Angelicus, and it was wonderful to have the chance to perform live for my aunt, uncle and grandma. Grandma Bennie was thrilled, and that makes me feel really good.

We also celebrated my cousin-in-law Troy's birthday. I can't say just how much it means to me to be able to spend more time with my So Cal family. I am very blessed.

I had dinner with my Grandma in the dining hall at her retirement facility and the dining room was decorated for a luau that they're having this month. Sunwest, where my Grandma lives, is really nice. It's like college dorm living for seniors. You have a dining hall, on-site activities, parties, groups you can join and your own little apartment. It's great.

Anyway, this was one of the table arrangements on our dinner table. I just had to take a picture because it amused me greatly.

Love the swimsuit hanging off the sign. Nice touch.

I am looking forward to my first trip back home, even though I know it's going to be hot and humid. I have been very fortunate out in LA this summer. We haven't had much extreme heat. In fact, I've only turned my A/C on once, for a total of 2 days since moving out here.

It really cools off here at night. Even if it gets up to 90+, once the sun sets things tend to cool off pretty quickly. I'm lucky in that my apartment doesn't get much direct sunlight. And the way my building is set-up, it just stays cool. You can feel the temperature drop when you come in the front door (and there's no A/C, my apartment complex is open on the inside, so it's outdoor air).

But I'm not going home for the nice weather, I'm going to see people. I can't wait to see my parents, family, friends...it's going to be a great trip.

Will post some pics and updates from the trip!

Happy End of July

Anniversary Cookie Cake

It's the last day of July, which marks my 4 year anniversary at Emmis Communications. Hard to believe that it was 4 years ago when I first stepped into the role of sales assistant at KSHE 95. In some ways though, it feels like it's been longer than 4 years. In a good way. It's been so long that I can't imagine not being part of the Emmis family. It's been a wonderful journey from my experience in St. Louis with KSHE/KPNT/KIHT/KFTK to my current position at Power 106 in LA.

My co-workers surprised me with a Happy Anniversary cookie cake yesterday. I work with such awesome people! Love my Emmis family.

I leave to go back to St. Louis in just under 3 weeks now. Can't wait to get back to StL and see family and friends, even though it will probably be unbearably hot and humid, as is typical in August. The weather here has been extremely pleasant. In fact, since moving here I've only turned on the A/C for a total of 2 days, which was a few weeks ago when it hit about 95 or so in the valley.

Of course, that probably means that August/September will be brutal. I've heard that those are typically the hot months in LA. We'll see. The 95 degree heat here didn't bother me all that much, but I wasn't spending a whole lot of time outside in it.

Last week I went to an Irish meetup and met a lot of really cool people in the LA area who are originally from Ireland and the UK. Met at an English Pub in Santa Monica, ended up staying out really late and somehow playing charades in the middle of the bar, haha. Totally fun group of people. In fact, several of us went out for karaoke the next night in Little Tokyo. There's this place where you can rent out your own room (basically your own karaoke party room). Very cool. We had a lot of fun and I was of course called out on having vocal training. Such a fun group though and hope to hang out with them again.

What else? Been spending a lot of time at my pool. Working on maintaining my nice golden tan. I love my pool, because for the most part it's relatively quiet and often times I have it completely to myself. There are however, a few rambunctious children in the building who show up occasionally and when they are in the pool sometimes it's best to avoid them. In fact, last week when I was laying out on a lounger reading my book, this little girl was getting ready to get in the pool and her mother told her to be careful and not to splash me. The girl's response? "It's a free country, I can do what I want!" Ugh. That's when it's time to peace out.

Got a beautiful 3 hours of personal time at the pool today though, kid free! Tonight just planning on chillin' and watching a movie. Tomorrow I may hit Hermosa Beach. Depends on how early I get up. If I don't hit the road by 9:30, it's unlikely that I'll find parking easily. Last thing I want to do is drive around for an hour looking for a place to park.

That's all for now!

Katie, Steph & Sean at Paul McCartney Concert!

I am way behind in updating this - sorry readers! July has been a busy month. I spent the 4th of July in Hemet with my relatives. My cousin Laura had a party at her house. We grilled hot dogs and hamburgers and just hung out and enjoyed the nice weather outside. The younger kids swam but I enjoyed staying poolside. Later we all drove down to the park and watched the fireworks display, which was very fun (although a bit chilly - it gets cold in the desert at night!). The next day I helped my grandma buy a new computer. She needed something for faster internet (her old computer only had 350MB of RAM - yikes!) so we went to Best Buy in Beaumont and I ended up finding her a really good deal on a basic computer.

It's so nice to be able to be so close to my California relatives. I'm really enjoying getting to know my cousins, aunt, uncle and grandma better.

Speaking of relatives, last weekend I had a nice little vacation to visit my relatives in
San Francisco. My cousin Stephanie and her husband Sean and I went to see Sir Paul McCartney perform live at Giants Stadium, which is right along the bay.

It was so amazing to see Paul live again (I saw him in 2002 in Chicago during his Back in the U.S.A. Tour). Some key performances were "Blackbird," "Yesterday," "Letting Go," "Live & Let Die," "Dance Tonight," "Here Today," and "Something" (a tribute to George Harrison played on the ukelele). Paul played about 5 or 6 different instruments: bass guitar, piano, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, ukelele and mandolin (for Dance Tonight). Pretty awesome.

Sir Paul McCartney!

The trip to San Fran was fab as well. I loved spending time with the Larson Clan. I was able to spend a lot of quality time with my cousins and we had a great time. Definitely one of the best San Francisco trips I've made in recent years.

I head back to "The Lou" in a month! At this point I'm getting anxious to get back home for a trip. I can't believe I've been away for 4 months, almost 5. I don't think I've ever gone that long without being in St. Louis, even when I was in college and living in Indiana. There was always breaks, holidays, etc. So I'm definitely looking forward to getting back to St. Louis and seeing my parents, my family and friends because it has been a long time. Plus, it's my mom's birthday weekend so I'm glad to be home for that!

Not much else going on. I have a work BBQ at my boss's house on Thursday, which should be a lot of fun. I also have a date with the California DMV this week to get my drivers license and plates (yes, I have to get rid of the BTLFAN plates - SO sad! But I'm going to try and get personalized plates here, it just won't be the same). Next week my book club is getting together, so I need to make sure I read that book this week. Just trying to keep busy and continue to be out and about!

Promise to update this a little more frequently! For now, that's all from this California girl!