Make a list, check it twice...

Soon after I made my trek out West, Gnat gave me a list of things that would make me a true Angeleno and measure my assimilation to the Cali lifestyle.  Since receiving those items, I have accomplished getting stuck in traffic.  That's it.  It's quite clear that I belong here as much as an arctic penguin.

With that said, it's no surprise that Gnat sending me an e-mail link to 150 Things to do in LA a few weeks ago struck fear through to my very core.  I was already sucking at one list and now here was 150 more things for me to suck at.  Awesome.

Soooo... I took a deep breath and prepared to feel overwhelmed and hickish- yet determined to read the entire list and really see what I'm up against out here.  The result- pleasant surprise!  I've actually done a lot of things! And I got some great ideas for new things to try!  For the full list of 150 items, feel free to click the link above.  Otherwise, enjoy my highlights below...

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
2. See a movie at the Landmark on Pico- actually the only movie theater I have been to in LA
6. Drive the PCH in my Jeep with the top down- Highlander with the windows and sunroof open.  Counts.
10. Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place
11. Spending the day at the beach
25. Catching a Clippers or Lakers Game- Clips Home Opener v My Bulls!  Entire Staples Center chanting "MVP" for D. Rose at the end.  Amazing.
29. Playing volleyball in Huntington or Manhattan Beach- TFA Institute acutally!
31. Get a burger at the famous In & Out- not as a resident of CA, but I have consumed plenty prior
36. Dance in the drum circle at Venice Beach- alright, I mean not really, but I ride my bike through it...
63. Hiking in Malibu- one of the best hikes I've done yet!
69. Grab some food at the farmers market at The Grove- I had just finished brunch, so I wasn't hungry.  I got the point though- all food stands, no produce.
71. Bike the Westside- almost every weekend baby!
88. Explore Koreatown- Oh yeah.  Remember the spa!?!  Fabulous.
99. Explore the Venice Canals- I go there every other week with my hiking group
107. Get fancy on Rodeo Drive- Sale/Hilton Rose Bowl Trip 2001.  That will do.
133. Check out a Derby Dolls match
141. Drink a cup of the strongest coffee ever at Kings Road Cafe in West Hollywood- First ever Brunch Bunch, thanks ladies!
145. Tutor kids in reading, writing, and awesomeness at 826la- yeaaahhh... I'm gonna go ahead and say I got this experience from teaching summer school in Watts.  I taught chemistry and awesomeness though...
146. Visit the Queen Mary- also accomplished at institute!


ON DECK:
1. Try every food truck one by one- challenge accepted.
5. Hit the Rose Bowl flea market- I really want to go, I just don't want to go to Pasadena...
9. Eat at Sugarfish in Brentwood- I hear they have GREAT sushi
14. Griffith Observatory, amazing view!- I hope to validate this.
33. Take a (safe) drive down Mullholland Drive
35. Rocky Horror Picture show at the Nuart- this occurs every Saturday night and is right by work.  I have also never seen Rocky Horror and think I should.
38. Hike to the Hollywood sign- but I'm gonna wait until they stop finding body parts around it...
42. Sit in a throne and eat sushi after 2am at Sushi Kingz in Hollywood- ummm... ok!
44. Pack a dinner and see a show at the iconic Hollywood Bowl- full disclosure, I also need to figure out where and what this is.
53. You can't miss seeing the exhibits at The Getty- I don't know exactly what this is either....
64. After hiking, grub down at the Reel Inn-right on the PCH outside of Malibu.  I'm excited for delicious seafood.
70. Sample some fine wine at the Malibu Vineyards Tasting Room- how have I NOT done this!?
72. Check out one of the many fun festivals including Wine Riot LA, Pasadena Wine Fest, LA Times Food & Wine Fest, International Wine Fest, Temecula Wine & Hot Air Balloon Festival, Drink Eat Play: Beer Fest, Taste of Beverly Hills- I see a theme and I like it.
78. Learn to sail- why not?
84. Check out the Outdoor Cinema Food Fest
85. See a show at The Greek Theater
90. Have a bon-fire at the fire pits on the beach of Dockweiler State Beach- this is apparently like, the only beach you can still have a bon-fire on...
100. Follow @SprinklesMobile and grab one of their well-known cupcakes for FREE- I think the @ means I have to join Twitter.  I don't wanna do that, but I'm REALLY into free cupcakes...
102. Trapeze School in Santa Monica- haha, what!?  This sounds great.
109. Get a hot dog at Pinks!- sigh, when in Rome right?  I should see what the fuss is about.
118. The Gold Room in Echo Park (a shot of tequila, a beer and UNLIMITED tacos for $5)- what's not to love!?
121. Getting breakfast any time of the day at The Pantry in DTLA (fun fact: it has NEVER closed since the first day it opened)
125. Date night at Paint Lab in Santa Monica- supposed to do this with a friend!  So not really a date night...
126. Do free Yoga at Runyon Canyon
127. Enjoy a mojito at Paradise Cove in Malibu
142. Enjoy a huge pretzel and beer at the Venice Beer Garden (On the Waterfront Cafe)- I want to do this every day for the rest of my life


THANKS BUT NO.
21. People watching at the Hollywood Walk of Fame- this could be entertaining, but I also have about zero desire to put myself in this tourist trap of a situation
27. Don't forget about the TMZ tour!!- WTF?  Are you gonna take me to celeb rehab facilities?!?  Pass.
47. Food court lunch at the Beverly Center- fancy or not, it's still a mall food court, and I still see no reason to make this an event.  Grab your pretzel to maintain your shopping sustenance and be on your way.
60. Take the Metro somewhere... anywhere!- ha!  How about the Metro actually go somewhere... anywhere!
79. Kayak the caves in La Jolla- I'm not opposed to this, but La Jolla is outside of San Diego and I don't think this belongs on an LA to do list...
92. Browse the LA Fashion District... it's the Canal St of LA!- Pass.
120. La Cita in Downtown LA (dope bar AND Lady Gaga celebrated her 25th birthday there)- yep.  I hated it when you said "dope."  Gaga's birthday solidified that it's a no go.
122. Hang out with wax figures of your favorite celebs at Madame Tussaud's- creepy.
123. Shop for produce at the Hollywood Farmers Market- Main St Farmers Market works for me
124. Walk around LA Live- I saw it from the Staples Center, it looks like Times Square.  I'm not into it
150. Go see a creepy-amazing puppet show at the Bob Baker Marionette Show in Downtown- I considered this when I thought it said Bob BARKER but upon re-reading, I'm really, really not interested.


So my take away?  I will probably never be a true Angeleno and I'm ok with that.  I can rock my Midwestern and Colorado roots and still be open to new experiences in LA. It's important that I make the most of my life out here but it's also important that I not forget where I come from or loose myself trying to fit in.  A few of the things I've crossed off have made some pretty great blog posts and many of the things on deck promise to be even more epic.  I don't know about you all, but I think it's been a hell of a ride so far. Bring it on.