I felt the distant rumble and asked my husband, “Is that an earthquake?”

Three seconds later, yup, a big shake and then it was pretty much done.

I saw this bit on the Register about the 2010 Census and started to think about giving it a go to bring in a little extra cash. Part time, temporary, seems easy enough. Then my kid started crying and I snapped back into the reality of my current job. (Mothers should get paid. Just sayin!)

According to the Register, the pay ranges from $17 to $20 per hour. You’ll get training and assigned to part-time projects that can last up to several weeks. Duties include address canvassing, interviewing, and other office work. If you’re actively looking for a gig — maybe one that involves driving around the OC and talking to your neighbors — definitely check out the US Census Bureau’s site for more information.

remember what I said I do to parking tards?? Don’t mess with the roller skate!!!

*Looking at the pic, I see it doesn’t look to bad. But there was only about 10 inches b/w my passenger door and their driver-side door.

My husband took this week off of work, as my son doesn’t go back to school until the 12th.

We were cackling with glee, planning our trip yesterday to Disneyland. Standing in line is for suckas, we thought to ourselves. Most people who vacationed here for the holidays should be back at work or school and we would have the whole park to ourselves. Bwaahaahaaa!

That dream was as short-lived as the view from atop the Goofy parking structure showed us that both sides of the loading area were being utilized for the trams. Not to mention the huge lines just to get on the damn things. Now you know you are in for some trouble when you wait over twenty minutes just to get into the park.

We thought about turning back, but we foolishly bravely decided to soldier on, since we were already there.

Big mistake.

We only wound up going on one ride, and then spending a few hours in Downtown Disney. Where, by the by, Dept. 56 is having a going out of business sale. Ornaments that were over twenty dollars can be had for two bucks! I bought a very cute, undamaged, decorated wreath for three dollars! I wanted to buy the whole store just because, technically speaking, I probably could.

I don’t know how the stock is looking today, but yesterday some great deals were had.

Oh, and as a personal note to the crabby man standing in line to enter Disneyland, who exactly appointed you the line police? It isn’t “cutting” as you described it, when there are two lines! Don’t get pissed at me because I didn’t stand there like a sheep when they opened up a separate line.

All right, I feel better now.

Having been in Orange County for less than a decade, I admit that this place still sometimes confuses me. Like this morning, for example, when I came across a wanted ad on Craigslist for a goat.

… check out your local Albertson’s to get pints for a little over $2 each! You have to be a Preferred member AND spend at least $20 in participating merch to get the biggest discounts though — otherwise the sale is just $3 for each pint.

I had some time to kill yesterday afternoon, so I figured that if you buy EIGHT pints at $3 each, that’ll be $24. However, since they’ll take off another $5 for spending over $20, your subtotal should come down to $19 — or $2.38 for each pint.

I say go for it if you like Haagen Dazs, have room in your freezer, and/or actually enjoy having ice cream in chilly weather!

A while back, a young man was shot and killed in his front yard by Anaheim police. Upon investigation, it was found that Julian Alexander was an innocent bystander.

The death was tragic, both to the family and to the community. Mr. Alexander certainly did not deserve to die.

As would be expected, Alexander’s family has filed a lawsuit against the City of Anaheim. I think they have every right to use the legal system for what seems to be a wrongful death.

However, they have also called upon Disneyland to erect a statue of Alexander, which they would like to be on Main Street.

OK, now this is where I stop agreeing with them.

What in the world does Disneyland have to do with Mr. Alexander’s death? There are, unfortunately, many wrongful deaths that occur, why should their relative get a statue in what is a privately owned amusement park?

I’m confused. I’m wondering if they think it would be a nice gesture, which it would be. But I don’t think they have any right to expect Disneyland to do such a thing.

Hey, 2009 has got to be better than 2008. Nowhere to go but up, and all that jazz.

Right??

Actually, I’m thinking that 2009 might be a bad year for some people, including our esteemed former Sheriff Carona, he of the handsome bald pate and secret mistress-lair.

And at least our national dignity was saved by a President who can dodge a pair of shoes like a pro. So if you couldn’t find a bright spot in 2008, that’s something to be grateful for, anyway.

Whether you are out partying or staying home with loved ones, stay safe and see you in ‘09.

Rhys Millen, world champion drifter and amazing stunt car driver will attempt an amazing task tonight. He will do a backflip in an off-road racing truck. That’s right, a backflip off of a ramp!
There’s more info here at Red Bull’s “New Year No Limits” site. Click down at the bottom where it has the name Rhys Millen.

He was to attempt this last year, but he screwed up in practice and broke his back. I’ve provided the video here:

“Why does this apply to OC?? He’s doing it in Vegas!!!!”

Rhys lives in San Clemente, and I’m happy to say I dine with him on a regular basis, so I’m all about giving him props on the interwebs!! Also, all of the practicing took place at the El Toro base! I got to go see it in person and it’s pretty insane! I would supply the cameraphone video I have, but I’d rather you just tune in.

ESPN!!! Tonight!!!! DO IT!
[/straight-boy moment]

*UPDATE* He made it all the way around, but he rolled the truck and wasn’t able to drive away. He’ll be doing this again I’m sure…..

So I was driving home on the Southbound 5 when my eyes were assaulted by this huge, horrible flashing sign which I think was owned by an RV dealership. I think it’s in La Mirada, or maybe Santa Fe Springs. Either way, the thing is an abomination, and in my opinion, totally unsafe.

Of course we’ve all seen those signs on the Vegas Strip, kindly informing us about topless dancers (Voted Best on the Strip!) and 10X Craps. But on the side of a very busy freeway that is also undergoing major construction? Stupid, stupid. I’d be interested to know if there has been an increase in collisions since that sign was put up. Anybody work for the CHP?

The scary part is that I was in the far left lane, and it still made me wince and have to shield my eyes from the glare. Not to mention I was already dealing with the glare from the headlights from the cars going northbound on the 5, so I was getting it from both sides.

I don’t know who approved it, but those types of signs have no business on the side of a major highway. Or anywhere, to be honest.

I’m surprised that this type of thing is done in Democrat-controlled Los Angeles County. I would think that the gung-ho, pro-business protectionist Republicans that make up the bulk of the lawmakers in Orange County would have, ahem, signed on by now. But whatever the reason, I’m glad they have resisted so far, since I’m sure most businesses located on the side of the freeways are salivating to have them.

In fact, I am glad that for the most part, there are no tacky billboards in Orange County at all. I’m trying to think of some, and I can’t. There is certainly some overbearing store signage, but no billboards come to mind. I loathe driving to grandma’s and having my son see the heaving bosom of a pole dancer from the Spearmint Rhino, or a building-sized bottle of beer.

Huh, imagine that. I’m actually agreeing with Republican lawmakers! I’m going to go take my temperature, maybe I’m coming down with something.

(photo source: Wikimedia Commons)

Originally built in the early 70’s when there was nothing else around it (click for archive image), the Chet Holifield Building at 24000 Avila Road
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677 has made a mark for itself not only for it’s architecture and the way it used to stand out in the middle of nowhere, but also for prominent roles in the movies.
The building was used in the 1975 sci-fi classic Death Race 2000 starring David Carradine and Sylvester Stalone. A reference to it can be seen in this version of the movie poster.
Michael Crichton’s directorial debut, Coma,also used the exterior of the building as the hospital. It was also use in Deal of the Century (1983) and Outbreak (1995).

What was once one the few thing in the rolling hills of Laguna Niguel, and definitely the most prominent, has now been swallowed up by houses, strip malls, and big box outlets. It is hard to see until you are upon it unless one comes in from the southwest. I took the above picture from the Aliso Creek Road side of it, but as I stated, it is lost behind the Walmart and Costco if you are coming from Interstate 5 down Alicia or La Paz.

The “Ziggurat” is home to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) as well as the Pacific Region National Archives and Records Administration. The archives are open to the public for research, in case anyone out there is into their genealogy.

There’s nothing like a lazy Sunday brunch at an Aloha Hawaiian BBQ for some Spam Moco.

What’s Spam Moco?

Well, it’s grilled (more like fried) Spam slices served over a bed of cabbage, smothered in some sort of gravy, and topped with two fried eggs. Oh, and you get white rice and some macaroni salad too. All for $5.99!

Visit their site for a list of locations around Southern California.

I just read that an OC family bought a box of crackers from Whole Foods in Tustin and found $10,000 inside. Ten freakin’ thousand dollars in cold, hard cash!

As a kid I remember seeing some PSA or other about some kids who found a brown paper bag filled with money. As the good samaritans they obviously were, they found the rightful owner and returned the loot; the owner was an eldery lady who, for some reason or other, stuffed her entire life’s savings in a paper bag and was walking around outside with it.

In this case, it turns out that the owner of the cash really IS an elderly old woman who stuffed her life’s savings inside a box of crackers! The woman had mistakenly returned the box of crackers to the store, which was then purchased by another family. The family contacted the police and the money was eventually returned to its rightful owner.

One can dream. But two questions still linger … what is Whole Foods doing putting opened packages of food back on the shelves, and why would someone think to buy it??

If you’re brave/silly/insane enough to head out to the malls today, be warned that parking is going to be a nightmare. South Coast Plaza has some traffic backed up on Bristol and the ramp off the 405.

I just got an email from Hush Baby announcing their Winter Sale. Hush Baby is a fancy baby and children’s boutique near Whole Foods at the District in Tustin, and if you’re the type of parent who’s willing to spend $60 on one piece of clothing for her kid, then you’d probably be interested in checking their stuff out when they’re on sale for 20%-70% off. (For the record, the only thing I’ve ever purchased there was a gift for a friend’s new baby.)

They have some real cute stuff, including drool-worthy designer diaper bags by Petunia Pickle Bottom, but it ain’t cheap even if it IS on sale. It’s also fun to just browse in there or check out their free storytime events (Mondays starting at 11 A.M.). And hey, they offer free lattes and hot chocolate!