2009: So Far, So Good.

It's been a while.

I'm sitting in a cafe in Los Gatos, CA waiting to meet up with a few colleagues for some meetings in the area.

I've had a a few really strange couple of weeks. I must admit, I was happy for January to be over. Between the finishing up of our Cold Call Campaign to a bout of Food Poisoning, I was ready to bid farewell to the first month of 2009.

Thankfully, February and the travel mania that it is, has begun. (Did I say thankfully?)

I started the month off with a bang in beautiful Santa Barbara. I really like it down there. It's such a pretty, albeit touristy town, but one that has a lot going on. That weekend, was the tail end of the SB International Film Festival. I didn't get to see any movies, but it was fun just sort of being in the midst of it. The art museums were all free as well, so I popped in and out a few of those.

It was also Super Bowl Sunday, so a number of the bars and cafes were a buzz with fans, junk food and beer in hand. I, of course, being the big football fan that I am, spent the afternoon in the sun, shopping from store to store.

That rest of that week, I spent a majority of time in Los Angeles.

Now, I must admit, the only view I have of LA is the glossed up, glamed out, Hollywood-esqe city of broken dreams view. I haven't spent much time down there.

But I love it.

Traffic, Paris Hilton and all.

There are some amazing places to eat down there...and you know, a way to my heart is through my stomach. All of my favorite cities have offered me and my palate a wonderful experience. From the beignets at Cafe Du Monde, New Orleans to the Fish Markets of Seattle. LA is no different. I found a few new cafes that were amazing, ate some delicious crepes and experienced a true Vegan meal for the first time.

I had these nachos at RFD and the cheese was made out of cashew nuts. Now, because the cheese isn't really cheese...it seems like there is only a certain window of time you can eat it before it forms back into a nut like consistency. However it was so good. They made the most amazing chai lattes. To top off the meal, we even had ice cream made from rice. It tasted just like regualar ice cream and I didn't have to worry about an upset stomach.

If I could eat there everyday, I would totally go Vegan. However two things would have to happen:
1. I'd have to move to LA
2. I'd have to get a job that could support my RFD daily expenses. That place is expensive.

www.realfood.com



“I love Los Angeles. I love Hollywood. They're beautiful. Everybody's plastic, but I love plastic. I want to be plastic.” Andy Warhol