OC, First Impressions

I drove around the City of Orange for a few hours, assessing my new city. My initial impression would be that this is a nice and shiny community with lots of commercial establishments. It should be very much like living inside a mall.

I'm in a hillside house, away from the hustle and bustle, but close enough for everything to be convenient.

I didn't notice very many of the local, independent establishments that dominate East L.A. There were lots of national chains, so it's a lot more antiseptic and commercial, but very comfortable. I will miss the taco trucks of L.A. though.

There are two Del Tacos about a block or two down each street of my nearest intersection, so that's something. I can hear the Disney fireworks at night, and the freeway traffic if I open my window.

I have a personal restroom next to my bedroom with two (!) sinks.  I think I'll set up my coffee maker next to one of them to prevent counter drippage and I'll use the other for hygiene purposes.

I just spent $100 on bathroom, cleaning, & office supplies that will probably last me for years.

I also replenished some essentials - new towels, bottle opener/corkscrew, comfortable bathroom rug, toilet plunger w/ an ergonomic handle, & some of that shit that makes your toilet water blue.

I am ready to roll.

[Originally posted on I'm Nacho Steppinstone, Jan. 23 - 28, 2004]

Leaving Los Angeles

My new rental in Orange County is good to go. I'll be driving carloads of stuff over there next Wednesday. MLIS classes start back up in a couple of weeks.

Leaving East Los Angeles behind, I will really only miss the amazing late night taco trucks and food stands. Best tacos ever, no contest.

I guess I will also miss the commercial murals that are painted on many of the local independent stores to advertise products.

Like this one:

Cat in a stew, pig serving sandwiches.

 And their blatant disregard for copyright law:

Tweety bird with a giant glass of juice.

Winnie the Pooh with a beverage next to a cornucopia of fruit.

Tube of Colgate over the store entrance door..

One guy used to have Wolverine painted on his liquor store, but it has since been painted over.

A weird, fairly common, motif is to show happy animals being cooked, like there will be a painting of a cow or pig being cooked in a pot over a fire with a big smile on their face.

[Originally posted on I'm Nacho Steppinstone, Jan. 15, 2004]