Paradise: I have arrived

I should have called this post: "PIGEONS: I have arrived" (explanation to come).

I moved into my new place (finally). With the help of a certain panda bear, my new bed has also finally been purchased and ever so lovingly placed in it's new home for me to rest my weary (and very owwy) shoulders on. No more broken sofa bed = a very happy Belly.

This place is amazing on so many levels. What seemed like a quiet dark little back road when I first checked it out (in the pouring rain of one late night) now shows it's true colors (and noises):

I have a private "tenants" garden in the back (which we are planning on putting a little level/deck in part of to make space for a BBQ area) and I can't wait to start planting some yummy spices and goodies.
The entire yard is covered in great little accents ranging from random stone sculls placed here and there under beautiful little trees, and a vast array of flowers and vines. There's even a little pond with fishies swimmin' around. There is a nice little deck off the back (perfect for pancake breakfasts) and two patios off either side (one with a never ending supply of Bamboo stretching up it's side, the other sitting at the top of a palm tree). Although the views are amazing from any side of this little home of mine, it's the French windows at the front that take the cake. Open those babies up for a nice breeze while you gaze out at the mountains and Hollywood sign during the day, or a blanket of city lights at night.

The SOUNDS. . . Man. . . Where do I even begin? At some points (like now, fortunately) all you hear is the breeze flowing through the trees outside, little chirping birds singing love songs to each other and a random outburst from the local kids (there are tons of them) running from yard to yard around the street (once the sun came out and the rain cleared, this quiet weird little street turned into a community with families and puppies all over the place).
My new home's soundtrack has mostly, tho, consisted of a Rooster who likes to sleep in till 2pm then start his proud cocka-doodle-dooing, a guy who thinks it's OK to HOOOONNNNKKKKKKK (and I mean lean on for 10 minutes) his horn at 630a, and the most random smash up of Mexican melodies coming from three different houses all at any given time. Oh yah, and pigeons having a party (probably a fiesta) up in my ceiling. Ohhh the pigeons. Where do I even begin? We're pretty convinced that they are the top-dogs(birds) of the block, possibly even drug lords. I think they have little deals and meetings every hour or so that mainly take place up in the rafters above my place. That or there is a family with 20 bird-kids, and the momma pigeon does a lot of re-arranging and cleaning all day. It's just a constant scurrying around - sounds like she's moving her pigeon-furniture back and fourth trying to get the place setup JUSTTTT right. How do I know they are pigeons and not rats? Evidence:
They are really starting to get too comfortable around here, I think I saw one sunbathing naked on the roof earlier, and because they aren't helping out with the rent, we've decided to post their little eviction notice up on their wall and give em the boot (Mark - of Annie and Mark - the two AMAZING people who own this house - has so kindly gone and rigged a little "pigeon-proof" gate over their entrance).
I'm pretty sure they all went out for lunch (probably sandwiches), because while he was putting up the blockade, no one was home. . .
Ten minutes later, a little guy came flying back and after realizing he couldn't get in, sat for a while on the patio looking up in complete and udder confusion, scratching his little pigeon feathered head.









(I spy with my little eye two pigeon beaks)
Sorry bud, there are going to be some big changes coming this year, and you getting kicked out of your home unfortunately has to be one of them (I am a jerk).

Don't get me wrong, tho, I love every second of it here in this place and I'm so happy to finally be back OFFICIALLY in Los Angeles (I could do without Mr. Horn Blower, but I'll deal).

Other than that, I miss life with Carolyn (even with the hellish sleeping situation) and I miss whiskey still. Not for long, tho, as I am going back up to Santa Barbara tomorrow to hang with C-Dawg and come next Thursday I'll be back for my visit with the whiskey girl.