[Insert Song Lyric About California Here]

As we speak (literally writing this from my Virgin flight. It's my first time. Bwahah), I’m headed to La La Land to visit, um, a friend. Hmm. Sounds sketchy. Oh but it is.

This friend, who has made the blog and contributed to the blog back when we were just actual friends, moved out there a few months ago. Then, this summer, he came back to visit when I was unattached. We hung out for literally 20 straight hours and didn’t kill each other. I think that says something (considering we’re both fairly annoying people).

He kept asking when I was going to visit. I figured, what the hell, it’s not like you live in North Korea or something, might as well treat myself to a little vacay. And, oh yeah, spend time with you.

This situation has three outcomes:

• It’s awesome and perfect, leaving me upset when I come home and nothing can happen between us (cause, duh, long distance is the wrong distance).
• It’s fine. Average. No harm, no foul.
• It's a great opportunity to pick up a souvenir from Suckville, USA.

So we shall see. I’ll update you upon my return.

When I told my parents about the trip, my mom was all cool okay whatever. She told my dad, who brought it up when I called to wish him a happy Father’s Day.

Dad: So, uh, what’s up with this trip to LA?

Me: Oh, you know, I haven’t been there in awhile. I wanted to get out of town and since I got jipped out of that family cruise…

Dad: Well, okay. Just keep in mind that there are a lot of places in Los Angeles where “Anglos” aren’t welcome.

Me: Ummmm? Okay? I think he said something about being a Crip so it's fine. (Joking. I did not say that.)

This is the most typical conversation ever. My father is a worrier, but not about normally what you would think he’d be concerned with, e.g. his precious daughter visiting some random across the country. Nope, he’s worried about race issues.

Sort of like the time I was headed on a European backpacking trip and instead of lecturing me on problems I’d actually face, e.g. crazy money stealing gypsies, he sat me down to talk about how “the bird flu was spreading west.” I kid you not.

Cross your fingers there are no bird flu outbreaks or gang riots I find myself in the middle of while I'm there. I do NOT want to hear, "I told you so..."