Mia Taylor

Well, I ordered contacts because I was running low, and well… I need to see. My glasses are scratched and I’m getting sick of them anyways. So, I ordered some Acuvue Oasys for Astimagtism contacts, which, if I had to review them would get 5 stars! I look at my VisionDirect.com account and see that my contacts were delivered! Exciting! Except…dun dun DUN!

Sure enough, the USPS was the carrier. I’ve been checking my door every day because they were late in arriving, and when I checked today, June 16th, the DELIVERY CONFIRMATION number was available and it stated that my contacts had been delivered yesterday…except dun dun DUN! They had not.

So, like any disgruntled “customer” of USPS, I looked on their website for a phone number to call. I had to call my local branch, who didn’t even understand that when I gave him a “DELIVERY CONFIRMATION” number, it meant my packaged was supposed to have been “delivered.”

I told him I had not received my package, that the USPS website said it was delivered, and he replied with “Are you sure it was delivered?” Oh goodness. “No, that’s the problem, it WASN’T delivered. It SAYS it was delivered (I was speaking slowly this time) but I did not receive my package.” The gentleman sounded almost exactly like Cleveland Brown from Family Guy, that it was hard to take him seriously.

In any case, once the guy figured out that what I wanted was my package, He told me that I should call back tomorrow at 8 AM… as if I have nothing better to do than track down my own mail. So frustrating. My package was coming from less than 2 hours away!

I wish there was a way you could choose not to have USPS deliver a package when ordering online.  United States Postal Service is so unreliable!

Thanks United States Postal Service, yet again.

The signs were all there…literally.

At 1:45 I headed out to meet a friend at the beach “See you in ten, then” I said. Little did I know the road ahead was full of road blocks- both metaphorically and literally. Calabasas has me trapped.  As I drove through Malibu Creek State Park, where the 40 minute detour left me, I thought to myself-

Why? Why am I living in a place that has very little to offer me, even less to motivate me and far less to entertain me?  The ever-so-present detour signs were the signs I needed to confirm my decision. The road I travel on a daily basis, reminding me of those deep within the countryside of the mid-west, now had signs telling me I needed to change it up a bit. Ok…so maybe I’m working the metaphor a little, but hey- it works!

I’d been thinking of moving back to LA for a while but had debated becoming one of the innumerable commuters.  Was it worth the 40 minute drive from home to school in order to be in  a more pleasant living situation? I don’t know why I even question it.

So, that’s it. My lease will be up in a few months and I’m headed back to the Westside!

After a long walk on along Zuma Beach this afternoon with Lindsey and Sarah I decided that the topic requested by a former classmate in New York would be a perfect one for today.

A few days ago Anthony P. wrote in:

“Hey,

It’s the first time I’ve checked out your website. You’ve penned some great articles. If I could recommend a topic: Can you speak about the lifestyle in Malibu as compared to NY when you were over here? Perhaps the entertainers you see? Maybe talk to a celebrity on the street? I can already feel your eyes rolling, because you see them everyday. Still, for an easterner, it would be interesting. Let me know if you at all decide to pursue this.

-Anthony”

It’s been a couple years since my Bicoastal lifestyle so I wracked my brain for all the things I loved and despised about having a home base on either side of the continent.

There are a few things that differ dramatically depending on the coast.  The People, The Pace and The Culture.

New York and Los Angeles (especially Malibu) have obvious differences in pace.  Malibu, a city of the laidback and over-priveleged, promotes an entirely different (neither better nor worse) vibe than say… New York City.  New York’s  fast-paced, cemented city promotes a hustle and bustle you’d have to search high and low to find anything comparable in Los Angeles.

I don’t have to make you aware of one of the most major differences between the Northeastern and Southwestern regions of our country and for me this was the biggest issue. The weather.  Aside from this years particularly rainy season (see Our Rainy Season post) you can’t beat the Los Angeles climate. It’s almost always a beach day, bikers speed down Pacific Coast Highway and lonely wives chit-chat in every corner Starbucks.

Contrary to Anthony’s belief I don’t see celebs on a daily basis (unless you count Angelyne, eek!).

Angelyne

But with great weather and constant sunshine, pop icons are definitely more noticeable that the bundled celebs you frequently miss when walking down 5th Ave.

On occasion you’ll see Pam Anderson and her golden retriever running the hills of Pepperdine University. She’s been a fan of the baseball team for quite a few years.

The team has, on more than one occasion, been invited to events at her Malibu home.

And more often than not, you’ll see masses of Paprazi surrounding Malibu’s Nobu or Taverna Tony’s.

Britney's car bombarded by Paparazi

Overall, there are a couple things I miss about the East Coast.  The pizza, the culture and the ease of access to a multitude of states in a matter of hours.

There’s something about the city, a true melting pot of cultures.  One minute you’re in Little Italy, one train and you’re in Greenwich.

The flying back and forth, sleeping with your head on the seat-back tray while your legs go numb and getting in late on Sunday night before a hectic Monday get old very fast. Not to mention it’s a pretty pricey lifestyle.

Great to visit, not a place I’d set up fort for too long.

Have you relocated from one coast to the other? Lived on both coasts for work or school? Feel free to share your comments here! I’d love to hear about your experiences.