Under the Sea Paaarrr-teeee

First I asked if work would pay for my Bread & Butter ticket and a hotel in Berlin while I was already on vacation in Europe.  They said yes.  Then work asked if I'd also like to go to London and Paris to meet with accounts and the EU DC team.  I said yes.  Then work said I'd also need to go to Asia for two weeks.
And that is how my EU holiday spun out of control and became a month long around-the-world tour with DC.

Itinerary #1: LA to Munich.  Rental car from Munich to Nurnberg to attend T.Murph's Under the Sea party.  Oh, how I missed team Nurnberg and our theme parties!!!  As soon as I arrived at Murphy's, I showered and immediately put on my costume and we were off to B2 for the party.

Thomas was a dead captain.  Looove the use of costume box/ex-costumes.

Props are required.  

Why of course you go as a crayfish.

DJ Captain Danny.

Two little school girls doing their nails.  Whoops, I mean two sailors getting tattooed.  ;)

The view from B2.

Tiphaine as treasure and me as Ariel!  (of course)

Love this guy and his Gay Sailor tattoo.

King Triton!

 

 
Lifeguards are definitely important at an Under the Sea party.

Sponge Bob is also important.

Courtney in all her treasure, swim tube glory.

A day in the life of Bandit in Long Beach

First Bandit tries on his new Obama t-shirt.  It's a bit tight.

Then Bandit gets a haircut.  And another dumb bow.  

Back at home, Bandit pulls all the stuffing out of a new toy.

Napping is a big part of Bandit's day.  

After a long nap, it's time to watch TV.  Bandit gets angry at the mafia movies.

But he can't watch TV for too long - it's too sunny outside.  We go for a walk and meet Larry for coffee.

Here is Bandit demonstrating illegal mobile phone use while driving in addition to standing up while driving.  

Walking back home....

Then it's off to the park to hang out with our neighbor from downstairs, Peanut.

Then Bandit falls asleep watching me stuff this into my suitcase.  Where or where could I be going?

Two Laurens in one month: Vistor #5!

They say you're a lucky person if you can count more than one true friend.  Having two of my best friends both called Lauren, must be a miracle of some sort.  Chicago-Lauren and I often have totally opposite schedules, but we were able to find free weekends on the third weekend of June.  She flew out and we began our domination of Southern California.

First we went for dinner at George's Greek Cafe and my friend Jesse joined us on his way back up to LA from a work meeting.  Food was great and then we thought it would be a good idea to stop at a dirty college bar next door for a drink.  Of course we decided to take the 'I Shot the Dog' Challenge and win a very fashionable hat.  I do not recommend this.  Everclear + mustard + ketchup + a mini wiener.  Yes, it should make you throw up in your mouth.

Me & Jesse w/ our trophies.

Lauren and I put ourselves to bed shortly there after.  The next day we went for food in Newport Beach, attempting to try something new.  We were surrounded by men in express-for-men shirts or men our dad's age, so we went back to Long Beach and met up with Sprigle & Jorg at 4th&Vine.  There we met the cool girl that owns the rollerskate shop next door. 

The next day we went for a walk.  Bandit found a dead fish on the sidewalk.  It was not an anti-gravity situation.  The blog decided it preferred this picture upside down.

This is one of the canals in Naples.  This is what I run past regularly.  Not too shabby.

Then we headed into Marina del Rey for dinner w/ a friend of Lauren's from high school, John.  John and I had met in Chicago 4/5 years ago when I was there for New Year's Eve. 

Lauren

John

So excited this lady is in Cali!!!!

John is very excited about his company.

After dinner and dancing at John's old bar the Whaler, we crossed the street and crashed a beach/hillbilly wedding.  

Yes, it was that kind of wedding....

Classy is always drinks next to baby seats.

Good thing we brought the class.

Why, oh why, do the old guys with no teeth always want to talk to her???

Of course he wanted another picture.

We decided it was a good idea to head back to John's before that guy wanted another picture.

If anyone knows Lauren, you've seen this pose before :)

John started a dance party.

Lauren wanted me to capture a picture of her in mid-air leaping across the room.  It took a few tries...

Dance party then moved to the deck.

@Andi & Maria - gold gorilla shout out!!

Having Lauren here was amazing.  Way too much fun, way too much laughing, and we definitely need to do it again soon.  I love living here when I have visitors.