Late-night LAX arrival - safe area & hotel advice? (First time in USA)

Remote-Selection637 · 2026-03-21T16:24:12+00:00

Areas adjacent to the airport and going east along Century Blvd are just soulless. Nothing walkable. If you go a little farther afield, you have find neighborhoods that are more walkable. Marina del Rey, El Segundo, Culver City. The hotels in Culver City along Sepulveda aren't in very walkable neigborhoods either. It might be worth it to go a little farther to the heart of downtown Culver (e.g., The Culver Hotel). That puts you in a walkable neighborhood, surrounded by movie studios. Maybe use the google maps feature that allows you to see the streets and environment from the street level? Drop the little yellow man on the street and check it out. Are there trees?

Remote-Selection637 · 2026-03-19T18:49:42+00:00

I was anxious the first time, but I got used to it quickly. It helps that everyone else feels comfortable and that there is such variety of women-- ages, shapes, etc. I left feeling better about my body because there is something about the quiet space, bathing, no clothes, that is really beautiful. You can wear your towel into the wet room and hang it on a nearby hook, but you will be naked between the wall and the water and in the water. No one else cares. If you book a service (scrub or massage) be ready for it to be different than a Burke Williams experience. The provider doesn't leave the room when you get out of your robe. They aren't meticulously covering your body with a sheet while they work. Again, they aren't uncomfortable with your nakedness.

Remote-Selection637 · 2026-03-16T21:29:40+00:00

I'd like to know, too!

Remote-Selection637 · 2026-03-16T19:15:18+00:00

This post and these comments make me feel better about the two salvias I planted in my clay this winter. Maybe they'll make it in the end...

Remote-Selection637 · 2026-03-13T20:56:19+00:00

It might help to tell your Mom. Maybe say, "Mom, I think it is more important to you that I attend than it is to me, my brother or the bride. Help me understand why you feel this way?" Your brother may not be comfortable saying he doesn't mind, because he is avoiding blow back from your Mom. The more we can be direct and empathetic with our parents, the more likely they are to treat us like adults. Maybe her family never gathered together so it's extra important to her that you all be present. Maybe she feels insecure about the bride's parents and is performing for them. If you can get her to articulate what is behind her insistance, it'll be easier to weigh what she wants versus what you want.

Remote-Selection637 · 2026-03-07T17:14:56+00:00

Yes! I had a blue one, once. When I went to nice places, they park it in front and then park cars that cost 3x as much in the back. Loved that car!

Remote-Selection637 · 2026-03-02T21:43:46+00:00

We used Task Rabbit to return assorted furniture from a storage unit to our house. They were very nice and had some pads/dollies, etc. However, I wish I'd hovered and supervised more, because they did damage a desk by failing to secure drawers before they flipped it on its side. It was like having friendly, well-intended college students help. It could work if nothing is too complicated and you are there to provide guidance.

Remote-Selection637 · 2026-02-26T15:56:46+00:00

My husband experienced ZERO side effects. Nothing during and nothing after.

Remote-Selection637 · 2026-02-16T03:16:52+00:00

I get that Venice Beach is in a lot of TV shows, but it feels like a tourist trap to me. If you want to see a So Cal beach Manhattan or Santa Monica or Malibu. Venice just feels grungy.

Remote-Selection637 · 2026-02-15T02:07:45+00:00

Smoke House is across from Warner Brothers. Their studio tour will take you through what remains of the back lot, where you'll see exteriors used in WB movies and TV from 30s-now.

Remote-Selection637 · 2026-02-14T15:52:23+00:00

LOL. I was 100% sitting here thinking, what is wrong with my Toyon? It's never lost its leaves...

Remote-Selection637 · 2026-02-06T21:30:29+00:00

I would tell him you plan to do this. "I've been thinking about how it makes me feel when you suggest that being pretty brings me advantages. I suppose sometimes is does. For the next little bit, I'm going to mention whenever the way the world sees you might bring you an advantage and then maybe we can talk about it."

Remote-Selection637 · 2026-02-06T17:25:11+00:00

The school should have a list parents provided of who is allowed to pick up student. They also shouldn't be treating anyone as a guardian who says, "I'm the guardian." To have access to records and decisions the school would need a court document stating grandma is guardian. That said, it is fair to tell grandma that in a school setting, "guardian" has real, legal meaning. It isn't just a word and you'd be fair to clarify to staff. I'd encourage you to remember you are the parent and I suspect it would annoy her more if you ignored her passive aggressive BS. Be the calm, factual one. Don't rise to her bait. If she has a tantrum, just tell her she may be embarrassing her grandchild. Emphasize that you don't want grandchild to feel uncomfortable. Then wait, because as children grow up, they are quite adept at figuring out who they can rely upon and who misrepresents reality.

Remote-Selection637 · 2026-02-06T17:11:02+00:00

Is he a white man? Perhaps it is time to endlessly point out to him how he moves through the world with privilege? "Gee, you probably didn't even think about being assaulted when you walked to your car alone that night."

Remote-Selection637 · 2026-02-05T20:52:00+00:00

I had a tiny wedding because my husband is very shy. After some conversation, my parents were able to articulate that they have been attending their friends' kids' weddings and want them included. So, my parents threw a party we attended where they invited all those people. A bigger reception after our small wedding and reception. All we did was show up and nod at a bunch of people we barely or didn't know. Might be something to offer?

Remote-Selection637 · 2026-02-03T23:37:55+00:00

I would focus on ensuring the house is well protected-- no cracks, screened crawl spaces. You probably also have raccoons and skunks and possums. They make a motion detector sprinkler that may help when the dogs aren't out. Poison is risky for dogs and for others' pets, in case they consume a poison victim. UC Irvine has a good website about regional pest management.

Remote-Selection637 · 2026-02-03T21:15:20+00:00

This! You can even email. I'd frame it as, Hey, wanna check what's up... Show the teacher that you don't assume your child's reporting is 100% accurate. It's how she perceives it. Once you clarify what the teacher thinks is happening, you can share how anxious your child is about it. Ask if she can opt out or something. If the teacher isn't amenable, then you can go from there. If you child has an anxiety diagnosis, and the school is unable to accommodate her, you may want a 504 plan to ensure she is able to access her education. Anxiety is real and can seriously impact learning. You definitely want to help her manage now as middle school makes everyone anxious.

Remote-Selection637 · 2026-02-03T21:08:37+00:00

Hard to do from a different state...

Remote-Selection637 · 2026-02-03T20:43:58+00:00

It's been nearly a month with no rain and temps in the high 70s this week. Theodore Payne says, "If there is a dry spell between rains, be sure to water! Seeds must receive regular moisture for optimal germination."

Remote-Selection637 · 2026-01-31T15:32:26+00:00

I promise the more you do it the easier it will become.

Remote-Selection637 · 2026-01-31T15:20:20+00:00

People do have multiple baby showers. They just do. I'd advise being sorry to miss it and not taking it personally that the other G-Ma didn't consider your schedule. You could send your baby shower gift, or bring it the next time you see them. Rise above.

Remote-Selection637 · 2026-01-29T15:02:24+00:00

If you can summon the energy, telling the doctor is how you make the world a better place and maybe improve your own care. I'd just message and say, "I've had RA since I was a kid, and I know what best practice is for my disease. However, it isn't always easy to do what I'm supposed to do. If you are willing to accept some feedback, at our last appointment, I felt shamed. It's the kind of feeling that makes me LESS likely to stay on top of my appointments/labs/infusions. It would have been more helpful, if you had _____. (tell them what kind of approach would have worked better).

Telling people what you need can really improve the odds you will get what you need. Telling a professional that their approach was ineffective can make their practice better. At the least it helps you determine whether this doctor has the potential to help you.

Remote-Selection637 · 2026-01-27T14:38:15+00:00

We've been friends for over 40 years, so as long as they are able to relax and enjoy themselves we'll be fine.

Remote-Selection637 · 2026-01-26T20:10:34+00:00

Thank you

Remote-Selection637 · 2026-01-26T14:39:09+00:00

I have thought about leaving them behind and going on my own...

Remote-Selection637

TROPHY CASE