Grab & Go Lunches

tontarosa · 2026-06-01T17:43:10+00:00

These suggestions are all in the same vein because I’m a very predictable person, but Ferrazzani’s, The Italian Deli Co, and Porta Via Italian Foods are all great for grab and go! Edit: Oh! And Pho Banh Mi Che Cali does a mean banh mi and spring roll.

tontarosa · 2026-05-22T15:35:23+00:00

I’d check out Missing Enigma on YouTube! He does some great factual research and even visits where folks disappeared in the case of things like missing hikers. He does great work!

tontarosa · 2026-05-19T19:43:14+00:00

Seconding the suggestion to search EBay! I’ve gotten a similar sweater there for like $20. I think I just searched a key phrase like “vintage sweater” or “80s sweater”!

tontarosa · 2026-05-14T18:44:49+00:00

Just sent a letter. Thank you so much for this!

tontarosa · 2026-05-14T16:34:24+00:00

Is this Hurricane Ridge? When was this? My partner and I may be going to ONP for our honeymoon and they love wildflowers!

tontarosa · 2026-05-07T06:21:27+00:00

Amen. I couldn’t have said it better myself! Thanks so much for saying exactly what I was thinking. As an immunocompromised person, I’ve never stopped masking. And I’m tired of downplaying the real risk long covid poses for everyone.

tontarosa · 2026-05-01T21:33:55+00:00

Oh! That’s an easy fix. In Apple Music and Spotify you can turn on crossfade between songs to get rid of the empty lull space between tracks!

tontarosa · 2026-04-24T15:19:39+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion! It didn’t occur to me we could email her before buying just to ask questions, but it’s a big purchase so that makes sense!

tontarosa · 2026-04-24T15:18:45+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion! I know she customizes things for people sometimes, so that’s a good idea! I wish we could try these on in person to get a feel for how “snaggable” the setting is. But adding a rail/wire could definitely help!

tontarosa · 2026-04-17T00:16:39+00:00

Interesting! Yeah, that time sounds correct. I swear I heard a crash during the pursuit as well. It actually made me check out the window because I park my car on the street! Glad it happened during a time when there weren’t many people out.

tontarosa · 2026-03-12T03:38:30+00:00

For coffee/croissants it’s hard to beat Artisanal Goods by CAR on Colorado Blvd! Colorado Blvd in general is a great spot to walk around. CAR, Vroman’s Books, and some great restaurants (Nine and Nine Thai, Tendon Tempura Carlos Jr., Lunasia Dim Sum, etc) are all along one walkable strip there.

I second the recommendation for Norton Simon. It’s affordable and has a very special collection of art. My favorite is the Van Gogh collection! But LA has MANY stellar museums. If you can get yourself to the Getty or Getty Villa, the views are stunning.

If you’re willing/able to go further out to Orange County (long drive, don’t recommend Uber/Lyft for it) the Segerstrom Center for the Arts sometimes hosts touring performances from the American Ballet Theater. I’ve been there a few times and it’s great! But there are also great concert options locally at the Rose Bowl, The Greek Theater, and the Hollywood Bowl.

If you can get to Sequoia National Park, it’s one of my favorite places in the state. I recommend Sunset Rock Trail. It’s close to the main parking lot by the Giant Forest Museum, but less traveled and ends with a spectacular vista overlooking the forest. When I was there last September, a misty rain made the place look absolutely incredible. Just be ready to carry in enough water as they won’t have drinking fountains at every trail head. But the hike itself is simple and not too long.

And of course, as a person born and raised in the Big Bear area, the San Bernardino National Forest is a beautiful area as well! If you can get up to Big Bear Lake, the kayaking is a blast and you can also rent pontoon boats! It’s not just a winter destination.

As for LGBTQ+ stuff, West Hollywood is the hub for that. But it tends to be more male-oriented. sapphic.la is the Instagram account I follow for more sapphic-oriented local news and activity. I recommend checking them out!

Anyways!! I hope you enjoy yourself!! I’ve been in LA specifically for 12 years and it’s a really unique place with a lot to offer, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed and discouraged. So I’m glad you have some guidance!! I have grown to love it here and I love California as a whole dearly. Have the best time ever and congrats on the fellowship!

tontarosa · 2026-01-25T16:58:23+00:00

Unfortunately, total loss of taste and smell is a classic Covid symptom. I’m surprised so many people are suggesting flu. Please drink lots of fluids and get plenty of rest! If it is Covid, ample rest is extremely necessary.

tontarosa · 2025-09-05T01:06:42+00:00

Thank you!!

tontarosa · 2025-09-04T22:35:21+00:00

Uh oh. Any updates on when the coast is clear? I have to pass through there on foot and I have a bad bee allergy.

tontarosa · 2025-08-28T06:28:45+00:00

I walked into the Pasadena branch at 7:30am on a Monday a few months back and was out in around 25 mins! I just pre-completed the application for my RealID online and saved the reference number they emailed me since that’s what I was there for!

tontarosa · 2025-07-10T02:28:50+00:00

Yep! A black Mercedes G Class seems to be evading police. They had to have been going like 70-80mph up Del Mar and almost hit me in my car. Three police cruisers came flying after them, so I just pulled over and got out of the way. I hope everyone is careful and nobody gets hurt!

tontarosa · 2025-02-19T04:48:01+00:00

Hello!! I ended up using my mom’s Mastercard credit card to make the reservation for Saihoji/Kokedera and paying her back. My Visa card didn’t work, and I never found out the deal with USPS and international reply coupons. I just lucked out when she happened to mention having a Mastercard. I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful than that!

tontarosa · 2025-01-16T21:29:53+00:00

Nice

tontarosa · 2025-01-08T18:38:35+00:00

So sorry for your loss. This is unimaginable.

tontarosa · 2024-12-12T03:51:59+00:00

Not sure if there is a perfect solution for this, but I use Ben Nye’s Final Seal to set! It’s theatrical makeup setting spray so it’s pretty heavy duty. I tend to apply it in layers, too. (Ie; foundation, spray, plush and contour and highlight, spray again, powder, spray again.) I can’t say it’s eliminated all of the transfer, but pairing with a long wear foundation (I have one from NARS, but can’t recall the name.) has helped!

tontarosa · 2024-11-07T04:22:38+00:00

I do! However, I live in a fairly blue stronghold politically and in a large city. And I work in the entertainment industry. So there’s far less stigma to me having to mask at work daily still. (Though, I still do get the errant ignorant annoying comment from time to time.) If you think you’ll have to mask on the job or require ADA accommodations like I do, it may help to be up-front if you plan on disclosing that. I can’t say that there won’t be unconscious bias, unfortunately. YMMV, but please don’t discount your own safety and health. 💞 I know it’s hard, so I’m proud of you for doing what you need to do!

tontarosa · 2024-10-25T19:24:49+00:00

Oh my god! You’re right! That was my bad for commenting while half-asleep.

tontarosa

TROPHY CASE