Goin' to California

Mom and I got up last Thursday, had our coffee, packed our bags and were off to Cali for Topher and Emily's wedding. For those of you who may not know, Toph is on of my three older cousins. We headed to Burbank to spend the night with family friends of ours - the Lydeckers. Made it in about six hours. Had some drinks by the pool and waited for my poor Dad. He had to fly on the WORST day in recent history to fly. He showed up at the airport three hours before his flight, which was delayed another three hours. This "no liquid", anti-terrorism thing is understandable; I don't mind preventative measures to keep us all safe. It just seems to me that the essence of terrorism is that it is unpredictable. As soon as we ban all liquids from airplanes, they'll think of something else, I'm sure. Anyway, Dad was supposed to arrive at 8:00 pm, but didn't get in until midnight. Ann sent a pimpin' Lincoln Towncar to pick him up in style.

Friday, the parents and I hung by the Lydeckers' pool, which was cool and free of chlorine, unlike my apartment's pools. It was so nice to not have anything to do, even just for a few hours. We ordered some lunch, repacked AGAIN and drove to Marina del Rey (near Venice Beach / Santa Monica). Relaxed for a bit and we we off to the rehearsal dinner, open to any family in town early. Dinner was at the C&O Trattoria in Venice Beach. Yummy Italian, family-style meal. After hours party was at a club called The Warehouse. Was so freakin' hot, I almost had a panic attack. Instead, I had a few Cape Cod-ers and called it a night.

Saturday, my mom wanted to sightsee at Venice Beach. I just couldn't bear being on my feet all day and shopping and talking and walking and burning out in the sun. So, my dad and I decided to hang by the pool and do absolutely nothing. Just what I needed after the move in. Arnold Swarzenegger was at breakfast at our hotel! I'm guessing his security guards scope out places that are small and easy to control. I suppose a breakfast nook at an average hotel is such a place. Incidentally, my dad is totally, unquestionably, absolutely bigger, scary and more authoritative looking than the Governator. Anyway, after a few hours at the pool, we started getting reading for the wedding.

The Keefers clean up pretty damn nicely. We looked our very spiffyist. Everyone at the hotel packed into a HUGE tour bus and went to the wedding, which was at Braemar Country Club in Tarzana. Topher is the Food & Beverage manager for the club. The wedding ceremony was beautiful, short and sweet - outside on a putting green, overlooking all of San Fernando Valley - performed by a friend who had done the Internet ordainment. Lucy, Toph's golden retriever, was the ring bearer and ran down the aisle when they called for the rings. Before dinner was served, there were two magicians, trays of champagne and killer finger foods. Dinner was incredible, as were the shelves of free wine - of course, with Topher as the manager, I wouldn't expect anything less. We ate and danced and drank the night away, grabbed a few "to go" bottles of wine and partied on the return bus trip to the hotel.

Pretty much passed out, got sick, had some alcohol insomnia and woke up with a wicked bad hangover. Had brunch with Toph and Emily at the Marriot brunch - delicious, mmm. Almost decided to stay the night and recover, but finally got the gall to jump in my car and drive back to Arizona. Was too tired and sick to think about being sad - had to say goodbye to my parents. Made excellent time (5 and 1/2 hours) and crawled into bed early. Got my car detailed this morning. Loaded up on groceries. Did some laundry. Unpacked my toiletries for the last time in a while, I hope. Now I'm here for good ... and am trying to recover from the seemingly endless miles that have unfolded in front of the Road Warrior and her trooper of a car. More to come...