You must first learn to pronounce the city name, it is L. A.
The morning rush hour is from 5:00 a.m. to noon. The evening rush hour is from noon to 7:00 p.m. Friday's rush hour starts on Thursday morning.
The minimum acceptable speed on most freeways is 85 mph. On the 105 or 110, your speed is expected to match the highway number. Anything less is considered "Wussy."
Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. L. A. has its own version of traffic rules. For example, cars/trucks with the loudest muffler go first at a four-way stop; the trucks with the biggest tires go second. However, in Malibu , SUV-driving, cellphone-talking moms ALWAYS have the right of way.
If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear ended, cussed out, and possibly shot.
Never honk at anyone. Ever. Seriously. It's another offense that can get you shot.
Road construction is permanent and continuous in all of L. A. and Orange counties. Detour barrels are moved around for your entertainment pleasure during the middle of the night to make the next day's driving a bit more exciting.
Mapquest does not work here -- none of the roads are where they say they are or go where they say they do and all the freeway off and on ramps are moved each night.
If someone actually has their turn signal on, wave them to the shoulder immediately to let them know it has been "accidentally activated."
If you are in the left lane and only driving 70 in a 55- 65 mph zone, you are considered a road hazard and will be "flipped off" accordingly. If you return the flip, you'll be shot.
Do not try to estimate travel time -- just leave Monday afternoon for Tuesday appointments, by noon Thursday for Friday and right after church on Sunday for anything on Monday morning.
And finally, why is the L.A. Freeway called the '405'? Because no matter where you are going, it takes 4 or 5 hours to get there.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
A Too True Assessment ...
Your Enneagram core type is POINT 8 - THE BOSS OR PROTECTOR
Early in life, Protectors learned to become strong and powerful by hiding their vulnerability.
They developed a toughness and forcefulness that allowed them to rely on their own instincts.
Control and dominance of their personal space, protecting the weak and innocent, and gaining respect by being strong are among the 8's highest values. People of this type appear armored, easy to anger, and confrontational at the slightest provocation. They are unaware of their intensity, tuning instead to their core friendliness, generosity and ability to energize others. 8's are great leaders, as long as you're on their side!
Strengths: Courageous, decisive, strong-willed, protective, loyal, powerful, action-oriented, assertive, fair, intuitive, energetic.
Challenges: Belligerent, blaming, defiant, bullying, impulsive, dictatorial when crossed, easy to anger, tendency to overindulge in food, drugs, etc.
Other types to consider: Your wings - Type 7 and Type 9 Your stress type - Type 5 Your security type - Type 2 Look-alike types - Type 1, Type 4, and Type 6
Finding your "center" is a first step toward understanding your Enneagram type.
The 9 personalities of the Enneagram are arranged within three triads or centers: the Feeling triad; the Thinking triad; and the Instinctive or Gut triad. Each triad contains three personality types that reflect the assets and liabilities of their triad, e.g., type 2 has particular strengths and weaknesses involving its feelings, hence its location in the Feeling triad. The 5's assets and liabilities involve thinking, which is why it's located in the Thinking triad…and so on for each of the types.
The elegance of this arrangement results from a kind of dialectic containing a thesis, antithesis and synthesis of the theme of each triad, so that one of the types over expresses the core attribute of the triad; one under expresses it; and the third is most out of touch with that aspect.
Because 8's are gut-based, they act from instinct, and tend to over-express anger. Forceful and aggressive by nature, they are extroverts who tend toward too much, too loud, too many.
Transformation of these aggressive tendencies occurs when 8's delay expressing their feelings (especially anger) so they can tune into their vulnerability. By acknowledging their intensity and its impact on others, they can gradually learn to moderate it. With greater calm, the 8's deeper feelings of tenderness can finally surface.
Take action: Watch out for unrealistic expectations of yourself and others. Work at validating, appreciating and recognizing other people's efforts. Notice your tendency to fight against dependency needs by controlling, manipulating, blaming, or maintaining a one-up position.
Instead, allow yourself to feel vulnerable and uncertain occasionally, just as we all do. Practice delaying spontaneous expressions of anger. In the gap, work on listening to other people's feelings and needs. Exchange control and dominance of your space and your relationships by negotiating clear boundaries that allow a win-win result. But watch for your urge to break rules or violate those boundaries as soon as they are made. Realize that sparring or arguing may turn you on, but it gets misinterpreted by non-8's in your life. You may need to teach those close to you to hold their ground and speak their truths when confronted by you.
Beware of excesses in your lifestyle and workstyle that can lead to exhaustion and alienation from others.
Early in life, Protectors learned to become strong and powerful by hiding their vulnerability.
They developed a toughness and forcefulness that allowed them to rely on their own instincts.
Control and dominance of their personal space, protecting the weak and innocent, and gaining respect by being strong are among the 8's highest values. People of this type appear armored, easy to anger, and confrontational at the slightest provocation. They are unaware of their intensity, tuning instead to their core friendliness, generosity and ability to energize others. 8's are great leaders, as long as you're on their side!
Strengths: Courageous, decisive, strong-willed, protective, loyal, powerful, action-oriented, assertive, fair, intuitive, energetic.
Challenges: Belligerent, blaming, defiant, bullying, impulsive, dictatorial when crossed, easy to anger, tendency to overindulge in food, drugs, etc.
Other types to consider: Your wings - Type 7 and Type 9 Your stress type - Type 5 Your security type - Type 2 Look-alike types - Type 1, Type 4, and Type 6
Finding your "center" is a first step toward understanding your Enneagram type.
The 9 personalities of the Enneagram are arranged within three triads or centers: the Feeling triad; the Thinking triad; and the Instinctive or Gut triad. Each triad contains three personality types that reflect the assets and liabilities of their triad, e.g., type 2 has particular strengths and weaknesses involving its feelings, hence its location in the Feeling triad. The 5's assets and liabilities involve thinking, which is why it's located in the Thinking triad…and so on for each of the types.
The elegance of this arrangement results from a kind of dialectic containing a thesis, antithesis and synthesis of the theme of each triad, so that one of the types over expresses the core attribute of the triad; one under expresses it; and the third is most out of touch with that aspect.
Because 8's are gut-based, they act from instinct, and tend to over-express anger. Forceful and aggressive by nature, they are extroverts who tend toward too much, too loud, too many.
Transformation of these aggressive tendencies occurs when 8's delay expressing their feelings (especially anger) so they can tune into their vulnerability. By acknowledging their intensity and its impact on others, they can gradually learn to moderate it. With greater calm, the 8's deeper feelings of tenderness can finally surface.
Take action: Watch out for unrealistic expectations of yourself and others. Work at validating, appreciating and recognizing other people's efforts. Notice your tendency to fight against dependency needs by controlling, manipulating, blaming, or maintaining a one-up position.
Instead, allow yourself to feel vulnerable and uncertain occasionally, just as we all do. Practice delaying spontaneous expressions of anger. In the gap, work on listening to other people's feelings and needs. Exchange control and dominance of your space and your relationships by negotiating clear boundaries that allow a win-win result. But watch for your urge to break rules or violate those boundaries as soon as they are made. Realize that sparring or arguing may turn you on, but it gets misinterpreted by non-8's in your life. You may need to teach those close to you to hold their ground and speak their truths when confronted by you.
Beware of excesses in your lifestyle and workstyle that can lead to exhaustion and alienation from others.
What a Crazy Dream ...
I have to write this down, it really freaked me out. It was really weird. It was a sensation like I couldn't wake up. I felt like I was conscious but wasn’t. I thought I could here my roommate Stacey saying things – “She’s having a seizure or something, she’s thrashing and won’t wake up.” "I can't get in, the door is locked."I could feel my arms moving and hitting the wall and I was kicking and trying to yell out Help! But I wasn’t making any noise, my mouth wouldn’t open and let out the sound though and my arms weren’t actually moving, it just felt like they were.
Somehow my door was locked or something because she said she couldn’t get in. I kept telling myself to “just wake up”, “just open your eyes”. I couldn’t though, it was like my brain was wide awake but my body couldn’t respond. It almost felt like what it would be like to be in a coma. When I did finally wake up, I woke up really slow. I didn’t believe I was awake. I woke up thinking about the dream and realizing that’s what it was because when the memory flooded my mind I had been in a bunk on a bus, a really small space. I laid there for a few minutes trying to get my bearings, I didn’t want to go back to sleep.
Now that I think about it, I have these claustrophobic dreams quite often; I just don’t always remember them. I have this one that is a recurring. I am in a room that is filled to capacity with either people or pillows or something I can’t tell what it is. I’m at the opposite end of the room from where the door is and I can’t get to the door. I try to move and I’m stuck in my place because I am crammed in so tightly, I can’t move. I get really high anxiety and really scared. Then I wake up, having never gotten to the door.
This is why I have never been to a concert and in movie theaters, I always sit at the very top. So I can see the door and the easiest exit route.
I just needed to write that ^^ down!
Wow! I really am crazy!
Somehow my door was locked or something because she said she couldn’t get in. I kept telling myself to “just wake up”, “just open your eyes”. I couldn’t though, it was like my brain was wide awake but my body couldn’t respond. It almost felt like what it would be like to be in a coma. When I did finally wake up, I woke up really slow. I didn’t believe I was awake. I woke up thinking about the dream and realizing that’s what it was because when the memory flooded my mind I had been in a bunk on a bus, a really small space. I laid there for a few minutes trying to get my bearings, I didn’t want to go back to sleep.
Now that I think about it, I have these claustrophobic dreams quite often; I just don’t always remember them. I have this one that is a recurring. I am in a room that is filled to capacity with either people or pillows or something I can’t tell what it is. I’m at the opposite end of the room from where the door is and I can’t get to the door. I try to move and I’m stuck in my place because I am crammed in so tightly, I can’t move. I get really high anxiety and really scared. Then I wake up, having never gotten to the door.
This is why I have never been to a concert and in movie theaters, I always sit at the very top. So I can see the door and the easiest exit route.
I just needed to write that ^^ down!
Wow! I really am crazy!
Monday, August 13, 2007
Truth is Not Your Forte
I’ve heard it all before, the lies that seem so true
You let me believe you, you made it so easy.
Your tender caress, your loving touch
Then you stopped, dead.
You stopped lying and talking altogether.
I shared my stories and my heartache,
You listened but never returned your own.
Oh, you had lots to say about my condition,
Never anything worth the breath it took to say.
I should have known then that you were fake.
It was only a few days but to me
It was a lifetime opened in to an abyss.
You tried so hard to be physical
Always used your hands not your words
While I poured out my heart, maybe to easy,
Your eyes were so kind and seemed so interested
Were you really or was that untrue too?
I should have known then that you were fake.
It was only a few days but to me ,
It was a lifetime opened in to an abyss.
I heard from friends that you are who you convinced me you weren’t
It’s funny, I don’t feel so stupid anymore,
It seems this is what you do, this lying for the fun,
I just wish I hadn't been fooled.
I should have known then that you were fake.
It was only a few days but to me
It was a lifetime opened in to an abyss.
Fake should be your middle name,
what’s even more fitting
Is how it rhymes with the one you were given.
You let me believe you, you made it so easy.
Your tender caress, your loving touch
Then you stopped, dead.
You stopped lying and talking altogether.
I shared my stories and my heartache,
You listened but never returned your own.
Oh, you had lots to say about my condition,
Never anything worth the breath it took to say.
I should have known then that you were fake.
It was only a few days but to me
It was a lifetime opened in to an abyss.
You tried so hard to be physical
Always used your hands not your words
While I poured out my heart, maybe to easy,
Your eyes were so kind and seemed so interested
Were you really or was that untrue too?
I should have known then that you were fake.
It was only a few days but to me ,
It was a lifetime opened in to an abyss.
I heard from friends that you are who you convinced me you weren’t
It’s funny, I don’t feel so stupid anymore,
It seems this is what you do, this lying for the fun,
I just wish I hadn't been fooled.
I should have known then that you were fake.
It was only a few days but to me
It was a lifetime opened in to an abyss.
Fake should be your middle name,
what’s even more fitting
Is how it rhymes with the one you were given.
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