I have a spreadsheet in my purse that I’ve had since 2008. It’s my Dealmakers/Dealbreakers List. Its alphabetized words are faded, scratched out, reassigned, modified and 60 points long, which is reduced from the 100 long that it used to be. The 100-long list is detailed in my memoir. (Preview/buy here.) I’ll include the updated […]
New Prescription: Pork and Port
Mermaid and I go on a road trip to the Ventura Flea Market and then to Ojai, both about a 90-minute drive north of Venice Beach. Being of the eco-friendly nature, she drives a hybrid. Being of the collecting treasures kind, said hybrid is already stacked with former flea market finds: fabrics, blankets, baskets, wall […]
Letting Go of the Edge of the Pool aka Damn You, Comfort Zone
A few days ago, I had an “a-ha” moment, one of those light bulb going off in my mind, but more like one of those movie spotlights that showcases some event and criss-crosses in the sky to be seen for miles—only to shine directly in my light-sensitive pupils. The “a-ha” told me, “It’s time,” whereby […]
Silver Lining Syndrome and The Art of Acceptance OR Hiking with Strange Men
So I’m thinking to myself, “Is this guy a serial killer?” as we travel along the Pacific Coast Highway presumably to a remote (in my mind) hiking destination, me and this man who I just met. Did I mention I’m in the passenger seat of an older van with no windows, no back seats, padded […]
Is Shopping a Form of Meditation? Why, Yes, Yes it Is!
I’m in L.A. living the life of a rock star, that is if that rock star is living in a make-shift tent partitioned off the living room with a curtain in a shared house with three other people and one bathroom with mood lighting. ‘My’ attic space got rented for a 2-week period during the […]
From Bitter Broker to Broke and Happy—The Joy of Simply Waking Up
The other day I’m on my way to a vintage clothing shop (read: second hand), and I see two fellows on the bus bench in front of the shop. They’re obviously homeless as evidenced by their grubby, layered frocks; mangy, matted hair; shopping cart of filthy blankets and extra, oversized army jackets; and the 2 […]
Just What Category of Sex ARE We Agreeing To?
From the time I was 21, I’ve gone from one serious, committed relationship to the next with nary a breather in betwixt. Oh sure, a couple of times between those relationships I tested the sheets with a few non-relationship fellows—I think that’s common nowadays and, even if not, that’s what I did as part of […]
The Abbott Kinney Disconnect—A Misfit’s Musings
Location: Venice Beach, CA. I’m in Venice Beach, California, land of hippies, hipsters, homeless, surfers, artists, con-artists, lame-ass, lonely, eco-friendly, eclectic, misguided, uber urban misfits and more singles than you can shake a handmade-hemp-stick at. It’s a melting pot of pop-culture and quirky characters, fame-seekers and soul-searchers, vendors selling all manner of wares and tourists […]
An Honest Online Non-Dating Profile (Mine)
This one’s for the single straight men out there. I’m in Venice Beach, California. Home of misfits, hippies, hipsters, homeless, surfers, tourists, artists, con-artists and more singles than you can shake a handmade-hemp-stick at. (Also, stay tuned for more on this in: “The Abbott Kinney Disconnect – A Misfit’s Musings“.) I meet a new guy […]
The Compatibility (No Stats) Report—Do Opposites Really Attract?
I’ve met two couples recently who met on online dating sites. I also met a couple who started out as pen pals from different countries. They’ve been together 5, 10 and over 40 (!) years, respectively, and seem pretty darn happy. What gives? The 5-year couple’s story goes like this: The guy, Treasure Find-her, was […]
