I miss Trader Joe's!

When we moved out to the sticks from Burbank, we did it with the understanding that we would no longer be within walking distance of a mall, an Ikea and 42 movie screens (really, 42.) We said that if close proximity to chain stores was a bigger deal than clean air and affordable housing, than we needed to refocus on what is important. And after 2 1/2 years, I'm sure that we've made the right call. But...

I really miss the 5 minute drive to Trader Joe's. (I liked it better living a short drive away in Burbank than the 3 blocks away in Los Feliz. Walking 3 blocks uphill - yes, both ways- with milk, beer, canned goods, etc. was not so much fun. I sometimes drove, but it was sooo close and parking at the store and our apartment was tough. Anyway...)

I was near Federal Way(kind of like Burbank, as it has every chain store invented) for work today, so I thought I'd do a TJ's run. Ohh, the Joy! The accumulation of stuff doesn't get any better than a liter of extra virgin olive oil for $5.49. I liked it so much, I even got some for the kitchen.

Sadly, it's a 90+ minute drive home from there, so I had to refrain from going down the frozen isle. Maybe next time I'll bring the cooler.

Did you here the one about the crazy astronaut?

Sometimes reality is so much stranger than anything you could make up. If I saw a tv show that had a astronaut driving from Houston to Orlando to stalk another astronaut in an airport parking lot because they're both involved with a space shuttle pilot, I'd change the channel because nothing like that could ever happen... Except that it did.

The Daily Show, Leno and Letterman shouldn't even mention it, because it's just too easy to make fun of.