Erin the Cali chick talks about...

I occassionally will watch the news on my TV and have SkyFox live on my laptop as I am getting ready for work.  Today I was really intrigued because for the first time ever (in my experience) I got to hear 3 different feeds that I believe Rick gets over his headset.  It was around 8:05 am and he had asked a question about a crackling noise that is being broadcast when all of the sudden another voice came on and answered Rick.  Following that was what sounded like a police feed.  It was really interesting and I was disappointed when it cut out. 

I had just wondered if anyone else heard it as well.  :)

The last time I ventured up to the Griffith Observatory was back in 2002. It actually was the day it shut down for good. My boyfriend at the time wanted to take me there for a day trip but as we got to the top, it was closed. It was quite the disappointment.

Since then I have been waiting for the opening. After it finally opened I knew reservations would fill up fast. And they did. Each time I tried to go, the day was full. After a while I became busier with things and somewhat put it on the backburner.

Well until now…

 I moved into my new place at Park La Brea on Sat. Oct. 6th. (it was a good move) So this past weekend I decided I wanted to venture around Hollywood and get to know my new living area. I made reservations for 2pm on Sat. to go to the observatory.

 ***Side Story*** (Read past if you don’t care)

Ok…CRAZY!! I NEVER call radio shows. Especially ones that are extraordinarily popular, like 102.7 KIIS FM… Well As I was driving with my boyfriend up to the observatory, KIIS mentioned Universal tickets. So I simply called to ask when they were doing the contest. (not intending to participate) The first time I call, I get hung up on. This annoyed me, so I called back. Busy. UGH. Called again. Busy. UGH!! Called a 3rd time… Ring…Ring…Ring… “Hello, who is this??” So I answered, “It’s Erin and I was wondering when you are giving out tickets to Universal again.” And all of the sudden… “Well Erin, you’re caller 102 – you have just won the tickets!!” UMMMM…WOW!! I didn’t even try and I won. Who does that????????? Oh well. It rocked and I am AMPED to go at the end of October. (P.S. I’m going to Six Flags Fright Fest this weekend – join me!!  It will be a GREAT day of screaming and running.)

***Side Story Done***

So we head over to the parking lot, get on the shuttle and go up to the observatory. Let me tell you, even with the overcast weather, the view was breathtaking!! Now I know why Rick Dickert LOVES his job so much. To see that everyday much be AMAZING.

We walked around the observatory and checked out all the GREAT exhibits. We watched the show in the theatre, which I HIGHLY recommend. We checked out all the new areas recently renevated and VERY well done.  But mostly we just looked out over LA. Stunning. It made me feel so small. I loved every minute. The best part had to be when the sun was going down and the overcast skies opened up enough to see the silver shinning Pacific Ocean twinkle before twilight.

It was a GREAT day. :)  Worth the wait.

LA traffic...  YUCK!!

Todays drive in was pretty rough.  Virtually 3 hours of solid traffic.  One hour late to work.  And a little drained from the experience.

If you have read my other blogs you know I drive from Santa Clarita to LA every weekday for work.  And for the most part it is not that bad, but here and there things happen.  Today took on a whole new adventure...

If you watched the news this morning as Rick covered the watermelon spill on the 5 you know the HEAVY volume of traffic.  And since Santa Clarita is somewhat tucked away, other routes in an out of the valley are null.

So yeah...  I sat in the mess for 1 hour and 30min.  Luckily I expected it.  Most people were angry and bitter but how does that help ANYTHING??  I guess it's just an emotion people have to go through.

After my prolonged time in the mess called "traffic" I thought I was in the clear.

HA!!

I barely jump on the 170 to find myself yet again in the river of flowing traffic.  Just my luck...  haha  Again I wasn't mad.  I calmly called my boss and let him know I'd be late. (somewhat already aware that he knew considering he commutes from the SCV too...)

This stop and "barely" go process added on the extra hour and thirty min.  Oh well.  Things happen and most of which are out of your control.  Aggrivation is not the best tool to use with this situation but it sure is common.

Funny parts:

• Some guy screaming at his radio
• A lady pointing at everyone like it was their fault
• Cars cutting people off only to find themselves back where they started
• People exiting the freeway and jumping right back on
• People speeding up to just slam back on their breaks again
• A woman on her phone literally describing what the entire freeway looks like in traffic (I had my window open so I could hear it)

Also funny are things you may think of when you are driving...  Here are some of my RANDOM thoughts...

• Why do people choose certain cars?? 
• What is this like from Rick's perspective??
• Is that Rick flying over right now??  He must be LAUGHING.
• I think since we all had to wait on a watermelon spill that I should at least get a piece.
• Only a two more days of this drive since I move in on Sat!!
• Why do people pick their nose in traffic when they KNOW people can see them clearly??
• How do some women get all their make-up on in the car??
• Where are each of these people going??
• Why do so many people cheat the system and drive in the carpool lane when they only have one person??
• Do people who cause big back up over preventable accidents feel bad when they see the aftermath??
• What would happen if no one could use their cell and drive??  End of the world??  haha
• Is the person next to me on the phone the person calling into a local radio station I am listening to?

I could go on but I'd rather hear what YOU see that makes you laugh and what YOU think about during traffic.  :)

Tell me YOUR stories.  I'd love to hear them!!

Everyone knows or at least has heard that crazy things happen when the full moon is in the night sky.  Well I am here to CONFIRM that with an interesting story as I drove home from work tonight.

I make my way down the 5 freeway and plan to exit Magic Mountain Pkwy.

As I drive towards the offramp I am taken aback by the sight of headlights shinning RIGHT AT ME.  Then I realize... "OMG!!  Someone is driving up the offramp!!"

I keep going but quickly slo my speed, thinking maybe it was someone just trying to get to the side of the road or something...  Not quite.

He keeps coming toward me on my left side.  He literally misses my car by 2 feet and almost hits another car.  This is when I decided this could be a HUGE disaster.  It was time to call the police.  Here is the conversation:

Sheriff Dispatch: "Good evening, this is the Santa Clarita Sheriff station.  How may I help you??"

Me: "Hi.  I wanted to make you aware that I just exited Magic Mountain Pkwy and as I did a car was driving up the offramp into traffic."

Sheriff Dispatch: "Ma'am are you telling me a car is driving the opposite direction on the 5 freeway???????"

Me: "Yes.  It is a white SUV."

Sheriff Dispatch: "...ummm... Thank you for letting us know. Did you see the vehicle collide with any other vehicles??   Are you at the scene??"

Me: "No, I am currently on Magic Mountain Pwky driving in the direction of your station.  Do you need me to go back??"

Sheriff Dispatch: "No ma'am.  I have alerted our units."

Me: "Ok.  Well I just wanted to make sure you knew.  It was frightening and concerning.  I hope no one gets hurt."

Sheriff Dispatch: "Well we appreciate your call.  It sounds like a typical full moon call.  Have a good evening."

Wow.  Crazy huh??  I thought so...  So it just once again confirms the full moon makes people do CrAzY things...  Probably along with drugs and drinking too... 

Yikes-a-be!!

As anyone who has been traveling on the 101 can agree with, this house on the freeway matter has become quite funny.  Perplexing and interesting...

Everyday as I go to work I see it.  In typical Erin form I analyze every part of the situation...

• Why were these people moving a house??

Santa Clarita has PLENTY of houses...  haha

• What was the first thought as the roof scraped the bridge??

"Oh no...there goes Christmas and Santa..."

• What made these people decide it was OFFICIALLY time to bail on the house??

"Ummm...it's broken now - lets leave it on the freeway..."

• Did this family have kids??  And if so, how did they feel about leaving their house on the freeway??

I would be if my house were broken and left behind.  :(

• Do they watch the news and laugh or cry about their abandoned house??

I would be somewhat melancholy...

• Why must taggers spray paint a house on the freeway??

This isn't worth my time...

• Why were there 7 news trucks filming the house at 8:45pm??

Hmmm...And why do I get out of work so late...  haha

There are way more thoughts but I am quite tired and feel like this blog needs to come to an end.  Basically I think it's fantastic that California always has something odd and off the wall to report on.  This month a house on the freeway, next month...

You decide.  ;)

So last week and this morning I was made aware that my usual route to work would be somewhat obstructed due to the Hollywood movie industry.  With this in mind I was all set to come into work this morning, semi-late, frustrated, and ready to blog about my annoyances...  But I can't.

I got off Highland as usual and there was a little bit of congestion.  The traffic still moved steadily enough to not cause "Erin irritation".  So I held off on the "ugh..." moment. 

Then the next thing I knew, I was gliding through the Hollywood and Highland intersection without any trouble.  (I also think I spotted Will Smith)

Wait....  Wasn't this supposed to be a nightmare??  Hmmm...

So now I sit here slightly confused and not the least bit enraged.  Bummer.  haha  Just kidding!! 

In all reality, I have witnessed enough road closures in Santa Clarita due to filming so this proved to be nothing.  Maybe everyone knew not to get that way, or maybe it just wasn't the craziness I counted on.  Either way I have NO COMPLAINTS.

No venting...  NO NO NO.

haha  :)

Well  I wish all a happy week and a very special welcome back to the wonderful Jillian.  :)  It's great to have her back.  Too bad I am now at work too early to watch her.  I guess it'll be Good Day LA recap on here at lunch.  :)

Bye all!!