Parting is such sweet sorrow..

Well, I knew it was coming. One of my BFF's is moving back to New York. It's really the best thing for her both personally and professionally, and it's not like I never go there, or she wouldn't come here. It's also not like there aren't things today like email, Facebook, and unlimited long distance: it isn't like it was back in the day where we had to tie letters to pigeons or send smoke signals. I've known about these plans also for a while; the email exchange today asking me to visit while she packs brought it home. It's changed me in the dark reptilian part of my heart from supportive friend to pouty 7 year old who's left alone in the sandbox. No more movie partner? No more glass-and-a-half? (that's how boozy we are- one each of white wine and one shared. AA here we come!) No more road trips?!? Arrrgh!

I'll get back to supportive friend at some point in the very near future. I just had to pound some sand...

Photo: Amazon

Happy Fourth!

LASnark.com has a list of locations in LA to view fireworks.

Photo: lasmark.com

Some Enchanted Evening...

A random conversation on an internets comment board reminded me of some of the more back-handed romantic evenings I have had in life. A couple have been with my friend Bitsy: one a trip to Ojai, one a trip to the Berkshires, a couple have been with my friend Sue, a couple with my BFF Mimi. One of the most memorable was with my BFF Auntie Moo, years ago at the Inn of the Seventh Ray in Topanga Canyon. The Inn is one of the most romantic restaurants in Los Angeles, tucked in a small corner of Topanga complete with babbling brook, roaring fire and fairy lights in the trees. It was an El Nino year and the creek was in full run. The evening was cool but not cold and there was a roaring fire. The full moon shone on Moo's Auburn hair and highlighted her "Lifeboat" era Tallulah Bankhead good looks. We ate, we drank, we talked, we laughed.

We went home in separate cars.

But you know, like the other times I've been out with my BFF's even at the most romantic places I wouldn't I'd trade it for the world. There's something to the ease of taking the romance out of the equation that takes some pressure off. I can appreciate the wit and beauty without worrying whether I'm matching it or enticing it. Or something.

For my Vegetarian/Vegan friends (looking at you, Gaia) when you're in LA the Inn of the Seventh Ray is worth a detour. It's Topanga enough to cause hardened New Yorkers to have a granola-induced anxiety attack (really, it's Albie Singer's worst Cali nightmare) but even they will have to admit that it's a gorgeous setting with wonderful food. For a date night under a full moon it's matchless. Put the top down and some Ella Fitzgerald on the stereo for the drive home. Even if you're with your BFF.

Image: http://www.vegguide.org