The Gucci of Santa Monica…

is Lululemon. The breakfast of champions. I’ve flirted with other clothing, but always come back to Lululemon. Dress up or dress down. I’ve worn their pants and button up to a wedding or shorts and tank top working out. Comfortable, cozy clothing with zippers so my stuff doesn’t fall out. If you come to Santa Monica, it’s everywhere. Alo and Beyond Yoga wishes they had the Lulu clout.

Harness Alberta’s Spirit

I was thinking about my grandma Alberta or Bert today. She was a beacon of positivity and light. She passed when I was in my early 20s. We spent a lot of time together while I was growing up. I remember we’d rent four videos from Family Video and binge watch them that night. If it was a comedy, she’d laugh the entire movie. Those days are when I was still around 10. Whenever we’d go out, it turned a 30 minute trip to a three hour trip. Wondering why? Because she knew everyone. Talked to everyone. The community loved her. She wouldn’t shut up. All she did was laugh and chat with people. I used to get frustrated with her. But it was a way of giving back that I had yet realized. I learned recently that I picked some of that up from her. I’ll do the same with random people on the street. Even if you don’t do street photography, I think it’s a good way to live your life going forward. Glad some of her spirit lives on in me.

El Salvador a Hidden Gem

You hear a lot of shit about this country. Mostly from idiots who never leave their neighborhood. I’ve been twice now and spent over a month there. Traveling all over it. Still haven’t been to the east part. Maybe next time. I love it there. It’s quite charming and beautiful. Especially the tiny towns in the northwest part of the country along the Ruta de las Flores. Ataco is my favorite. Everywhere you go, a volcano looms in the distance. The breakfast is probably the best ever. You can get it from KFC if you want. The people are swell. Go to a mercado and get cat called by the abuelitas. “Hola amor!” It’s a fun place.

Cuban Cheese

I was never so happy to get back on the plane from Havana to Atlanta. As soon as we landed, I stuffed my face with some good ole Chipotle. Cuban food is pretty lackluster. Mostly from the US embargo preventing Cuba from importing a lot of essential goods that go way beyond food. If you eat there, you must stick to the items that are grown on the island. Some of the best fruits you’ll ever eat. Don’t mess with the cheese. It’s like rubber or something.